India U-17 girls reach 8 finals in Asian Boxing

India U-17 girls continued their consistent run at the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships 2026, advancing eight boxers into the finals and securing four bronze medals after the semifinal stage in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The results underline the depth in India’s youth boxing system, with multiple categories producing finalists through controlled and decisive performances. With eight boxers now in contention for gold, India remains one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Rakhi (46kg) delivered one of the standout performances of the day, securing a referee stoppage contest (RSC) victory in the third round against China’s Yating Zhang. Her bout reflected control over distance and consistent scoring, allowing her to dominate the contest before the stoppage. In the 48kg category, Khushi Chand registered a clean 5:0 win over Mongolia’s Mungunzul Altamgadasa. The unanimous decision highlighted her ability to maintain tempo and avoid defensive lapses, ensuring a comfortable progression into the final.

Not all bouts went India’s way in the middle weight divisions. Mamta Murlidhar Raut (52kg) lost 0:5 against China’s Yaxin Qiu, while Laxmi Manjunath Lamani (54kg) went down 1:4 to Uzbekistan’s Kumriniso Muhammadova. Both bouts were competitive in phases, but the opposition managed to maintain consistency across rounds. In the 60kg category, Ishika was involved in one of the closest contests of the day but lost a narrow 2:3 decision to Kazakhstan’s Balym Gabitkyzy. The bout was decided on fine margins, reflecting the competitive standard at this stage.

Similarly, Harnoor Kaur (66kg) was unable to progress after a 0:5 defeat against Kazakhstan’s Ayaulym Ospanova.

Strong Performances in Higher Weight Classes

India found momentum again in the higher weight categories. Navya (57kg) secured an RSC win in the second round against Mongolia’s Dagiimaa Chuluutumur, controlling the bout effectively before the stoppage. Diya (63kg) delivered a first-round RSC win over Chinese Taipei’s Jia-En Song, ending the contest early with a decisive display.

Himanshi (70kg) followed a similar pattern, winning by RSC in the opening round against Jordan’s Jude Habi. Her ability to assert dominance early ensured minimal time spent in the ring. In the 75kg category, Jyoti advanced with another first-round RSC win against Cheng-Hui Zou of Chinese Taipei, continuing India’s strong run in the heavier divisions.

Vanshika (80kg) progressed with a 4:1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Feruzabonu Kamolova. The bout required a more measured approach compared to the earlier RSC wins, with Vanshika maintaining control over three rounds to secure a clear decision. In the 80+kg category, Gurseerat Kaur ensured India had representation in the heaviest division final, winning by RSC in the first round against Xin-Ying Huang of Chinese Taipei. The early stoppage highlighted her ability to impose physical advantage quickly.

Four Indian boxers Mamta Murlidhar Raut, Laxmi Manjunath Lamani, Ishika, and Harnoor Kaur concluded their campaigns with bronze medals after semifinal defeats. While they fell short of the finals, their performances contributed to India’s overall medal tally and depth across categories.

India’s performance in the semifinals reflects a structured approach across weight categories. The high number of RSC victories indicates a clear gap in several bouts, where Indian boxers were able to control proceedings decisively.

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At the same time, the close contests and losses in certain divisions highlight areas where consistency and tactical adjustments will be needed against stronger opponents in the finals.

With eight finalists, India now has multiple opportunities to convert strong semifinal performances into gold medals. The finals will present a higher level of competition, particularly against boxers from countries like China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, who have also shown depth across categories. The ability to maintain composure, adapt to different styles, and execute strategies across three rounds will be crucial.

India’s U-17 girls have placed themselves in a strong position heading into the finals of the Asian Boxing Championships 2026. Eight finalists and four bronze medals underline both performance and depth at the youth level.

The next step will be converting these opportunities into gold medals, which would further strengthen India’s standing in Asian boxing at the junior level.